Governor Haslam, Commissioner Hagerty Announce Eagle Bend Manufacturing Expansion in Clinton

Monday, January 09, 2012 | 08:54am
Auto Supplier to Create 188 New Jobs, Invest $64 Million Over Next Five Years
 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with local officials announced today that Eagle Bend Manufacturing, Inc. is expanding its Clinton, Tenn. facility, creating 188 new jobs and investing $64 million over the next five years. The company, a division of Magna International, Inc., is a Tier 1 automotive parts supplier for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of cars and light trucks worldwide.
 
“Eagle Bend Manufacturing represents the type of success story we are aiming for in our economic development efforts,” Haslam said. “We have placed a renewed emphasis on helping existing industries grow right where they are, as this is essential to reaching our goal of becoming the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
 
“I want to thank Eagle Bend Manufacturing for their continued confidence in the people and business climate of Tennessee,” Hagerty said. “Eagle Bend has been an important part of Anderson County’s business landscape for the past 25 years, and this latest expansion shows what a significant source of job creation existing industries are for our state.” 
 
Founded in Anderson County in 1987, the Eagle Bend facility will add more than 100,000 square feet to its current 334,000 square foot plant. The expansion will occur in phases over the next five years with the first phase commencing in the first quarter of 2012. 
 
The newly created jobs will include assembly, laser and press operators and maintenance positions. The Clinton facility currently employs more than 600 people. 
 
“Eagle Bend Manufacturing is the largest private employer in the county outside of Oak Ridge,” said Anderson County Mayor Myron Iwanski. “This expansion demonstrates that Anderson County has the infrastructure, skilled labor force and low business costs required to be profitable in today’s tough economy.  We appreciate the long term commitment that Eagle Bend has made to Anderson County and the work of Economic Development Association President Tim Thompson to help make this happen.”
 
“Eagle Bend Manufacturing has been a great corporate citizen in our Clinton business community for nearly 25 years,” said Clinton Mayor Scott Burton. “Since 1987, Eagle Bend Manufacturing has created good paying jobs for the region. We look forward to assisting them with their latest expansion and future growth. Our automotive/transportation manufacturing companies in Clinton have really been successful in the past two years with the addition of nearly 800 jobs.”
 
“TVA and Clinton Utilities Board congratulate Eagle Bend Manufacturing on their announced expansion that keeps and adds jobs in our communities,” said John Bradley, TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development.  “We are pleased to be partners with the Anderson County Economic Development Association, Anderson County, City of Clinton and the State of Tennessee to help existing companies grow.”
 
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd.
 
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Contact: Laura Elkins, ECD
Phone:(615) 532-1910

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